Three people have died following an accident at a  tannery in Runkel, north-west of Frankfurt, according to officials in the state of Hesse.

Two others were seriously injured and taken to hospital, where they remain in critical condition, a spokesperson for local hazard response services said.

The five individuals were found in a septic tank at the facility. Authorities said it is not yet clear which chemicals caused the incident, although carbon dioxide (CO2) is currently being considered as a possible factor.

Founded in 1826, the Beuleke tannery is a small, long-established operation employing six people. Local reports indicate the owner was among those who died in the incident.

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